Steaming ahead with project to renew play area

Ben O’Connell

The project to revamp the play area in Belford is continuing at pace with the formation of an officially-constituted group.

The scheme, aimed at providing a better facility at Williams Way, has also recently been awarded a £5,000 grant from Northumberland County Council’s Community Chest fund.

At the October meeting of Belford Parish Council, members of the group provided an update on progress as well as sharing a draft constitution for their official committee.

It has been agreed that this will function effectively as a sub-group of the parish council with money kept in a bank account under the auspices of the council.

This allows for openness and transparency in terms of where the money donated by residents is going and also means that the VAT can be reclaimed.

Coun Tracy Bell is the chairman of the play park group so provides a good link between the council and the committee, but chairman Coun Brenda Stanton suggested a couple of parish councillors also joined the committee.

The parish council now owns the play area and land following a transfer from the county council.

Coun Bell said that the next stage is the installation of a basket swing, for which the money is now available, particularly with the VAT now covered by the parish council’s exemption.

A number of successful fund-raising events have been held in the community, but the group is now going to turn its attention to grant applications, particularly during the winter months.

It requested an official letter from the parish council (the landowner) explaining that it has permission to use the site, as some funders require this.